Insolvency shock for traditional company: future of Helmut Meeth GmbH uncertain!

Insolvency shock for traditional company: future of Helmut Meeth GmbH uncertain!

The Helmut Meeth GmbH & Co. KG, a traditional family company from Rhineland-Palatinate, has filed for bankruptcy. The application to open insolvency proceedings was submitted to the district court of Wittlich on February 6, 2025. This decision was not without reason, because the company, which was founded by Helmuth Meeth in 1985, has been faced with considerable economic challenges in recent months.

The causes of bankruptcy are diverse. In particular, the current construction crisis, high costs and a decline in orders have led to "remarkable sales burglaries". There are also massive problems with the IT systems, which also disturbed the operating processes. These problems are not isolated, but reflect the generally difficult situation in the construction industry, as Swabian Post . The decline in building permits in housing has noticeably reduced sales and dramatically reduced the demand for windows and front doors.

effects on employees

In a works meeting, the approximately 90 employees were informed about the bankruptcy. Your wages are secured by bankruptcy money by the end of March 2025, so that you do not have to fear any economic losses for the time being. Dr. Alexander Jüchser, who was appointed as a provisional insolvency administrator, still sees chances for a positive turn. Talks with creditors, banks and potential investors should begin as soon as possible to find a promising solution and to receive jobs.

dr. Jüchser emphasizes that the employees are motivated and committed, which could be a key to the renovation of the company. Despite the difficult circumstances, business operations remain largely stable, and a stable order situation and an increasing demand for the company's products can give hope for a positive development.

The context of the construction industry

The construction crisis that Helmut Meeth GmbH and many other companies in the industry is a complex problem. The Destatis has shown that the building permits have significantly burdened in recent years, which has significantly stressed the economic situation in the construction industry.

Last year, another traditional window manufacturer from Baden-Württemberg had to stop production due to flood damage, which affected 150 employees. These cases illustrate the fragility of the construction industry and the increased challenges that companies like Helmut Meeth GmbH face. The next steps in insolvency processing will be crucial for whether and how quickly the company can recover.